Gov. Quinn announces $14.5 million for health centers

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is directing $14.5 million in funds toward renovating and building community health centers around the state.

The funds are part of the state's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now capital construction program. The Legislature passed the six-year, $31 billion infrastructure plan in 2009. It was the state's first long-term capital program in a decade.

Community health centers are not-for-profits created by Congress to meet the needs of underserved communities and high-risk patients.

Quinn says investing in community health centers is a "critical and essential step" in transforming the state's health care system.

The capital construction program was paid for through expanding video gambling, higher taxes on alcohol, candy and soft drinks and increasing driver's license fees.

The funds are administered through the state's Capital Development Board.